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Britain and the European Union will be resuming face to face trade talks in London today, as confirmed by David Frost, chief Brexit negotiator for the UK. Frost said that he looked forward to welcoming Michel Barnier, chief negotiator, EU. The confirmation had come after the two sides had to suspend their talks in Brussels after an EU negotiator tested positive for Covid-19 last week. Negotiations had been continuing via video link for the past few days.
Barnier said that he would be working with determination and patience, after he arrived in London.
Time is running out for both sides as the Brexit transition period stands to end on December 31. Britain had left the Union on January 31 this year and had been granted a one-year transition period to secure a favourable deal.
Frost also said that though it was a bit late, but a deal was still possible, and he would continue to talk from his side. But UK’s sovereignty must be fully respected while formulating the details of the deal, he insisted.
Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission had earlier cautioned that the EU was well-prepared for a no-deal scenario since crucial gaps still remained in the post-Brexit trade talks with Britain. She emphasised that the next few days would be decisive.
Earlier this month, UK PM Boris Johnson and von der Leyen said that both the parties were doubling their efforts to work out a deal.
The speed breakers
Johnson has made it clear that the UK would like to keep control of over its fishing waters in a post-Brexit scenario.
EU sought access to British waters as most of its ships fished in the English waters. It had also warned that in case the UK did not allow access for its ships to fish in these waters, it may impose tariffs on British products and services.
Sources revealed that on Friday, Barnier was contemplating proposing that up to 18 per cent of the fish caught in the British waters by EU fleet would be allowed to be taken by the UK, under the new deal. But European officials did not confirm the same.
Apart from this, other speed breakers were the issues of a level playing field and state aid offered as support for businesses.
The two sides also disagreed over how thoroughly Britain needed to follow the block’s labour, social, and environmental standards.
In case a trade deal is not agreed by December 31, the trade between the two sides would default to the World Trade Organisation rules, which might include tariff and non-tariff barriers.
